David Helfgott

Music Documentaries on Netflix by House of Noise

What are the best music documentaries on Netflix?

Netflix has really helped boost the popularity of documentaries with the success of their original productions like Making a Murderer and Amanda Knox. Here's a list of the best music documentaries available to watch now.  

Searching for Sugar Man

This 2012 documentary charts the journey of 2 die-hard South African music lovers in their quest to discover if the rumoured death of American musician Sixto Rodriguez was true. Rodriguez had gained a strong following in South Africa albeit never achieving success in his native United States.  

IMDB Rating: 8.2

What Happened, Miss Simone?

An in depth look into the troubled life of the American singer, piano player and civil rights activist known as the 'High Priestess of Soul'. On stage Nina Simone was known for her utterly free, uninhibited musical expression, which enthralled audiences and attracted life-long fans. But amid the violent, haunting, and senseless day-to-day of the civil rights era in 1960s America, Simone struggled to reconcile her artistic identity and ambition with her devotion to a movement. Culled from hours of autobiographical tapes, this new film unveils the unmitigated ego of a brilliant artist and the absurdities of her time. At the height of her fame Simone walked away from her family, country, career and fans, to move to Liberia and give up performing. 

IMDB Rating: 7.6

 

Daft Punk Unchained

This BBC produced documentary offers some insight into the backstory of the highly secretive, high successful french dance duo. 

This documentary explores the two artists on a permanent quest for creativity, independence and freedom. The film combines rare archive footage as well as exclusive interviews with their closest collaborators who talk about their work with Daft Punk, including Pharrell Williams, Giorgio Moroder, Nile Rodgers and Michel Gondry.

IMDB Rating: 7.3

Janis Little Girl Blue

Narrated by musician Cat Power this documentary builds itself on letters sent by Joplin herself to friends and family. Mapping the turbulent and emotional lifestyle that made her one of the biggest singers of her lifetime. Directed by Amy Berg who produced the excellent doc West of Memphis. 

IMDB Rating: 7.4

Hello I am David

You may know the name David Helfgott from Geoffrey Rush's Oscar winning portrayal in the 1996 film 'Shine'. This film is a journey into the life of the famed Australian Pianist, his problems with mental illness and his unique views on the world of love, wonder and wisdom. 

IMBD Rating: 7.4